The idea of a "canon" is in reality a valuable one in that it seeks to identify quality expressions of the human mind in literature, history, and philosophy as

The idea of a "canon" is in reality a valuable one in that it seeks to identify quality expressions of the human mind in literature, history, and philosophy as expressed in different times and places throughout history. The core idea is really a by-product of the scientific age in which people came to believe that human knowledge can arrive at various forms of objective truth that are of lasting value and not merely of ephemeral appeal to a particular culture and for a particular time. It has come under severe assault in our post-modern era by those who claim that all such expressions of what is ultimately supposed to be true or good for everyone are in reality mere pretexts by which particular groups gain and keep power over others. In other words, a work of supposed lasting value is nothing more than something that is held out to be such by those who stand to gain from propagating the values it reflects. This is far too jaded a view for my tastes and, unless we are to give up on the idea of human betterment by learning from the works of those who preceded us, the idea of a canon as a basis for self-improvement remains strong with me. By reading widely and variously across a spectrum of great minds, you will become much richer in knowledge and in your means of expression. Harold Bloom is probably the best-known modern proponent of a Western canon and his list is large and varied, as chronicled here: http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtbloom.html http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtbloom.html. A pretty good overview of "great books" lists (Western and Eastern) also appears here: http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtintro.html http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtintro.html.